Azelastine
Description
Azelastine is an anti-allergy medicine that is used to relieve symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (allergic reaction causing sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes) in children, adolescents and adults. Azelastine works by blocking the release of histamine, a chemical that is responsible for allergic reactions.
Azelastine may show side effects like dryness and irritation of the nose and throat, headache, fever, nose bleeding etc. Inform your doctor if any of these side effects bother you or persist for a long time. Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Azelastine is a prescription medicine that is available as a nasal spray and eye drop. The dose and duration of treatment of this medicine will be prescribed by your doctor depending on your health condition. Follow all the instructions mentioned on the label for usage or as directed by your doctor.
Azelastine can increase your risk of getting an infection or worsening your pre-existing infection. Hence, maintain proper hygiene and keep a distance from people who are sick or have infections. Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems before using Azelastine. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Azelastine
- Burning or itching of eyes
- Blurred vision
- Eye discharge
- Bitter taste
- Burning in the Nose
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Sneezing
- Headache
Uses of Azelastine
What is it prescribed for?
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Allergic conjunctivitis
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe onset of action for Azelastine is as follows: Ophthalmic Use (eye drops): The effect can be observed within 3 minutes of use. Nasal Use (nasal spray): The effect can be observed within 1 to 3 hours of using it.
- Duration of effectThe duration of action for Azelastine is as follows: Ophthalmic Use (eye drops): The effect lasts for an average duration of eight hours. Nasal Use (nasal spray): The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 12 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Azelastine due to the increased risk of severe side effects like confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, fainting, etc.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Azelastine.
- Usage in pregnancy?Azelastine is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause harm to your foetus. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Azelastine is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. It is not known whether this medicine is excreted in human breast milk. If you are breastfeeding consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid using Azelastine if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms like rash, itching/swelling of the face, lips, or throat, shortness of breath, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Azelastine is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause harm to your foetus. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Azelastine is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. It is not known whether this medicine is excreted in human breast milk. If you are breastfeeding consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Driving or Operating machines
Azelastine may cause symptoms such as blurred vision, drowsiness, sleepiness, etc. Hence avoid driving vehicles or operating machines after using this medicine.
Use in children
Ophthalmic Use: Azelastine is not recommended for use in children less than three years of age since the safety and efficacy data of use are not clinically established.
Nasal Use: Azelastine is not recommended for use in children less than six months of age since the safety and efficacy data of use are not clinically established.
Opthalamic use
Azelastine eye drops is an external preparation. Avoid contact with nose, ears, cuts and mouth. Also, avoid sharing items like eyeglasses, contact lenses, pillows, towels, clothes, eye or face makeup with others.
Missed Dose
Nasal spray: Do not skip any dose of Azelastine. Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Eye Drops: Try not to skip a dose of Azelastine. If you forget to instil a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If your next dose time is near, skip the missed dose and use your next scheduled dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Nasal spray: Never use more doses than prescribed. If you have used more than the prescribed dose of Azelastine, seek immediate medical attention.
Eye Drops: Never instil more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical attention if you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of Azelastine.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Nasal
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Azelastine due to the increased risk of severe side effects like confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, fainting, etc.
Interaction with Medicine
Amitriptyline
Alprazolam
Aripiprazole
Carbamazepine
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Nasal use: Azelastine is used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Use this medicine as advised by your doctor. Azelastine may take a few days or weeks to show its effect. Do not stop using it without consulting your doctor.
Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding before using this medicine.
Keep away from the reach of children and pets. Ensure that the unused medicine is disposed of properly.
Ophthalmic use: Azelastine eye drop is used to treat allergic conjunctivitis. This medicine is for external use only. Administer it as directed by the doctor. Do not touch your eyes with unwashed hands.
Use this eye drop at around the same time daily for the ease of remembering. Ensure that the treatment course is completed.
Avoid sharing items like eyeglasses, contact lenses, pillows, towels, clothes, eye or face makeup when you are infected. Also, avoid driving vehicles or operating machines as Azelastine may cause blurred vision.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Azelastine works by blocking the release of histamine, a chemical that causes allergic reactions. Thus it helps in relieving allergic symptoms.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Nasal antihistamines and decongestants, Ophthalmic antihistamines and decongestants
Schedule
Schedule H
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Azelastine Nasal Spray: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Hpra.ie. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Azelastine. [online] Available at: [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - AZELASTINE HYDROCHLORIDE spray, metered. [online] Available at: [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 9 Feb 2023
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.